US Marines charter MATILDA 1 landing vessel for littoral experimentation with Australian Army

As a purpose-built SLV, the MATILDA 1 utilizes a shallow-draft design and specialized stern ramp to enable capability sets, comprising both personnel and equipment, to land directly on diverse shorelines.

The experimentation phase will focus on logistics-centric manoeuvre and sustainment, and the refinement of tactics, techniques, and procedures for operating within the littoral water space.

“The MATILDA 1 gives our Stand-In Forces a way to move personnel and equipment across contested littorals without relying on fixed ports or large amphibious shipping,” according to Aaron Hatfield, Maritime Program Manager, Science and Technology Division, US Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory.

“Operating it alongside the Australian Army is a near-term, allied solution to a real capability gap, and the insight it generates will shape how the Joint Force fights in the contested littorals.”

The shallow-draft designed vessel is intended to land personnel and equipment directly onto diverse shorelines with a specialized stern ramp

From its Australian base, the SLV will be utilized for operations and experimentation across the West Pacific and Oceania; allowing the vessel to support units such as the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin and the Australian Army's 1st Division.

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“The lessons we learn from MATILDA 1's operations will directly benefit both the Marine Corps and the Navy,” according to US Marine Corps Col. Kenny Jones, Science and Technology Division Director at the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory.

“By experimenting with this vessel in real-world littoral environments today, we are actively reducing risk and shaping the operational requirements for tomorrow's integrated naval fleet.”

Managed by MariGuard LLC on behalf of the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory. US Marines and Australian soldiers were the first to embark on the vessel together in July 2026.

Ultimately, this initiative will provide critical data to inform the final design of the US Navy's upcoming LSM.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.